Spiritual Direction is help given by one Christian to another. It enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to them and respond.

 

My training and experience in accompanying people helps me be able to listen, notice and watch for God’s movement in your life. My only objective is to help you to pay attention to God’s personal communication with you and help you to respond, follow God's lead and live this out in your unique circumstances.

 

I like to explain to people when they come for Spiritual Direction that there are actually three people present. In one chair sits someone like yourself, desiring and wanting a deeper relationship with God. In a second chair, sits me. Listening and asking questions and encouraging you to reflect on the circumstances of your life in the light of your faith. The third chair represents the Holy Spirit, the true Spiritual Director. The Holy Spirit dwells in both of us and infuses all aspects of our lives. When we meet together it is God's guidance that we seek for your life, not mine.

 

There are other titles for 'Spiritual Direction' these include companionship, accompaniment, guidance and listening. The word ‘direction’ can sound forceful to some people. Let me assure you I am not here to tell you what you must do. I will not ‘direct’ in the sense of giving advice or solving problems. Rather my role is to help you hear and respond to God's invitation to a deeper relationship.

 

Spiritual Direction is a process that is going somewhere. Spiritual places an emphasis on the action of the Holy Spirit on one's life. Direction refers to the direction the Holy Spirit is leading a person. God is always leading us to deeper faith and service, our faith is not static but always active and moving. Spiritual Direction therefore will focus not only “what is happening currently” but also “what are you being drawn into.”

 

Most people meet with their Spiritual Director every 4-6 weeks for about an hour. I accept donations for this ministry. As a guide other services such as counselling would be in the region of £30-40 an hour. However, cost should never be a barrier to those who desire Spiritual Direction. The generosity of those who can afford enables me to continue to provide this ministry to people who could not.

 

Spiritual Directors should be professionally trained and participate in ongoing training and supervision to ensure high standards of practice. Unfortunately a significant number of people who offer Spiritual direction have not been trained nor do they submit to supervision, a code of practice or attend Spiritual Direction themselves. This leads to a lack of accountability. I can share details of these arrangements with you. I was trained in the Ignatian tradition and completed my training through the Jesuit Centre for Ignatian Spirituality / St.Patricks College Maynooth.